A Study of Oxytocin Levels in a Sample of Bipolar Affective Disorder

Abstract

BackgroundBipolar disorder is characterized by mood swings with both manic and depressive symptoms. Social cognitive abnormalities have recently been recognized as a core feature of mood disorders, which persist during remission. The neuropeptide oxytocin may be a trait marker of bipolar disorder, and its dysregulation might be involved in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder.AimTo find out and compare oxytocin levels between cases of bipolar I disorder and a control group and to estimate predictors of susceptibility and remission of patients with bipolar I disorder.Patients and MethodsA total of 45 patients with bipolar I disorder and 30 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls were examined. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders I was used to rule out any pathology in the control group and to confirm the diagnosis of bipolar I disorder in the cases. Furthermore, Beck depression inventory and Young mania scale were completed by the cases. Salivary oxytocin hormone levels were measured in all participating individuals.ResultsPatients with bipolar I disorder, whether in depression, mania, or remission, showed higher significant levels of oxytocin when compared with controls, where manic cases showed significantly higher level of oxytocin when compared with depressive and remittent cases.ConclusionsHigher oxytocin levels were suggested to be a predictor for bipolar disorder or mania development, and lower levels of oxytocin might predict remission but do not predict the severity of the disorder.